Sound cyber security testing is a critical challenge, in particular for large and complex systems such as the smart grid and other critical infrastructure. In this talk, we explore the need for, and specific issues involved in, security testing for critical infrastructure and how testbeds play a vital role in that environment. ITI has established several testbeds that allow for the exploration of these issues and for other related research in this domain and we provide an overview of those resources and how they have been leveraged to validate and enable research in critical infrastructure. Two research efforts will be highlighted, 1) A validation of quantum cryptography and its application to high-speed PMU communications in the power grid and 2) Enabling smart meter research through emulation and real-world system deployments.

BIOGRAPHY:

Tim Yardley is the Assistant Director for Testbed Services and a senior researcher and lead for several projects at ITI. He works to define the vision and direction for testbed initiatives under ITI and engages in research to address ITI's mission. His work addresses trustworthiness and resiliency in critical infrastructure, with a particular focus on cyber security, and includes analysis and development of techniques for securing components, systems, and networks.

Yardley's research in those areas includes work on control systems, telecommunications systems, critical incident response, and simulations of real-world systems. Other areas of interest include health technology, mobile system security, financial systems, and dynamically tailored environments. In addition to his research, Yardley is involved in security assessments, external relations, national working groups, technology development and transfer, and entrepreneurial activities. He is also an active contributor to open source projects around the world.

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ITI is a campus-wide interdisciplinary unit of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, led by the College of Engineering, that is fostering excellence in information trust and security. Participating units include, among others, the College of Applied Health Sciences; the College of Business; the College of Engineering; the College of Law; the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; the Department of Aerospace Engineering; the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering; the Department of Computer Science; the Coordinated Science Laboratory; the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering; the Department of Industrial & Enterprise Systems Engineering; and the National Center for Supercomputing Applications.